Whether you are exploring different majors at Cal Poly or trying to figure out what subjects you are interested in, the following resources and tips will help you make an informed decision.
Career Exploration and Preparation Action Plan Handout - We encourage you to use this document to help as you explore your major and career options.
1) Understanding Your Interests
A good starting point if you are considering changing your major involves sorting through your interests and filtering out majors that may not be good fits. An assessment can help answer questions on how your interests, values, personalities, and preferences are aligned with different education subjects and career paths. The following resources include self-paced assessments that you can take. If you need assistance interpreting the results, you are welcome to meet with a career counselor and discuss your assessments.
- Pathway U: A career path tool that will help you with self-discovery, career exploration, and job connection.
- O*Net Online Interest Profiler: The O*Net Interest Profiler can help you learn about your interests and how they relate to the world of work.
- Journey Maps Assessment: Get personalized directions to explore life’s possibilities; complete interest surveys and a skills matcher assessment to learn about a variety of careers.
2) Evaluating Different Majors
If you have narrowed down your major choices, then learning more about what each major has offer in their curriculum and their experiences. The resources listed below can provide some insight into examples of career opportunities that are possible for different majors. Additionally, we recommend reaching out to either a faculty member or the Department Chair from the respective college that your major of interest belongs to. Meeting with someone affiliated with the department can be a good opportunity to learn about the curriculum, concentration options, and learning outcomes.
- What Can I do With This Major: This online resource provides lists of typical career areas and types of employers that hire students within each major, as well as strategies to make you a more marketable candidate.
- Graduate Status Report: View brief summaries of outcomes associated with Cal Poly graduates including potential employers, salaries, and graduate programs.
3) Explore Careers and Networking
Once you have identified careers or occupations that sound interesting to you, you’ll want to do research on what the pathways look like for that discipline or industry. Being proactive about what steps to take and the opportunities to seek out will go a long way in preparing you for your field of interest. Another great way to learn about different careers is to network and connect with Cal Poly alumni who are working in those careers. Below are resources that cover different information on careers and how to best prepare.
- Occupational Outlook Handbook: Published every two years by the federal government, the Occupational Outlook Handbook presents up-to-date career information, including typical duties, working conditions, and education requirements
- O*Net Online: O*Net is a research database with highly specific career information, including typical tasks, education and training, salary, and job outlook.
- Cal Poly Career Connections: Join Cal Poly Career Connections, an exclusive networking and mentoring platform that connects with a professional alumni community. Reach out to alumni and get career-related advice.
- LinkedIn Alumni Network: Explore profiles of students and alumni from Cal Poly and get connected to benefit from first-hand advice and experience.
4) Self-Explore
If certain industries seem too unknown or if you’re still not sure what you would be interested in, then participating in extracurricular activities could be a way to gain exposure and try new things.
- Center for Service in Action: If you’re looking to try different things, then the Center for Service in Action can help you find volunteering opportunities around San Luis County. A great resource if you want to explore different types of work.
- Join a Cal Poly Club: With over 300 different student organizations, clubs can be a great way to learn information related to majors or specific career paths. Some clubs are project driven and some clubs offer networking opportunities to meet companies and employers.